XLIV Then, whirling up his broadsword With both hands to the height, He rushed against Horatius, And smote with all his might. With shield and blade H...
XLV He reeled, and on Herminius He leaned one breathing-space； Then, like a wild cat mad with wounds, Sprang right at Astur's face. Through teeth,...
XLVI And the great Lord of Luna Fell at that deadly stroke, As falls on Mount Alvernus A thunder smitten oak： Far o'er the crashing forest The gia...
XLVII On Astur's throat Horatius Right firmly pressed his heel, And thrice and four times tugged amain, Ere he wrenched out the steel. ``And see,&...
XLVIII But at his haughty challange A sullen murmur ran, Mingled of wrath, and shame, and dread, Along that glittering van. There lacked not men of pr...
XLIX But all Etruria's noblest Felt their hearts sink to see On the earth the bloody corpses, In the path the dauntless Three： And, from the ghast...
L Was none who would be foremost To lead such dire attack； But those behind cried, ``Forward！'' And those before cried, ``Back！'' And ...
LI Yet one man for one moment Strode out before the crowd； Well known was he to all the Three, And they gave him greeting loud. ``Now welcome, welcome...
LII Thrice looked he at the city； Thrice looked he at the dead； And thrice came on in fury, And thrice turned back in dread： And, white with fear and ...
LIII But meanwhile axe and lever Have manfully been plied； And now the bridge hangs tottering Above the boiling tide. ``Come back, come back, Horatius...